Good deeds

Monday

Nov 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

All Faiths Food Bank received $10,000 from cooking star Rachael Ray's Yum-o! organization, granted through Feeding America. The funds will be designated to support the food bank's BackPack Kids Program.

The BackPack Kids Program provides backpacks of food to eligible children in kindergarten through eighth grade every Friday, reducing the risk of hunger over the weekend and during school holidays.

Rachael Ray is best known as the host of the hit syndicated Emmy Award-winning daytime television show "Rachael Ray," produced by CBS. Ray also reaches scores of fans through her popular Food Network shows, best-selling cookbooks, her line of cookware, signature food ingredients and lifestyle magazine Everyday with Rachael Ray.

In 2007, Ray launched Yum-o!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking.

Heritage Golf Group LLC held a fundraiser to benefit Birdies for the Brave during TPC Prestancia's event Nov. 11 in Sarasota.

The Birdies for the Brave charity provides support to members of the armed forces and their families. Since 2008, the Heritage Golf Group has raised more than $2.1 million for the program.

The fundraising activities at the tournament included a four-person team plus active military scramble tournament, lunch and dinner for all participants, silent auction, raffles and prizes for the winners.

Gateway Bank, of Sarasota, has donated $1,515 to Manasota BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome). The funds were raised by bank employees who participated in the organization's "Buddy Walk" in October. The bank itself also donated $500.

The festival was endorsed by several local organizations: the Humane Society of Manatee County, Bishop Animal Shelter and Nate's Honor Animal Rescue. The GSAL is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers and is a leader in efforts to make Manatee a no-kill community. The organization assists by providing funding and coordinating trap-neuter-return services, a popular way to manage the feral cat population.

The Pussycat Festival featured live music, including performances by Beverly McClellan, a top finalist on NBC's "The Voice;" Melissa McGhee, a finalist on the 12th season of "American Idol;" singer/songwriter Diane Ward; Sarasota-based folk group Passerine; and Sophie B. Hawkins, a Grammy-nominated singer.

The Venice High School Indians scored a big win with a new LED screen, now on display inside their gymnasium, donated by Neal Communities. The screen and scoreboard made its debut at the first volleyball game played in the brand new gymnasium at VHS in October.

Neal Communities will make two $20,000 donations to pay for the new screen that can be used to display scores, play videos and show customized messages. The screen will benefit not only the athletes who play in the gym, but also all of the students in school assemblies.

Samuel Cione, president of Integrity Wealth Management Inc. of Sarasota, donated $2,150 to the Elks Charity Golf Tournament. Cione is a member of BPOE No. 2495.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation and Merrill Lynch recently awarded $10,000 to the Food Bank of Manatee. The money will go toward the purchase of a new forklift, which will make the food bank's operations more efficient.

The Sarasota office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP has donated $7,500 to Girls Inc. as part of the nonprofit organization's business partnership program, "Invest in the Power of Girls."

The partnership allows businesses to collaborate with Girls Inc. on mutually beneficial initiatives. It also creates a dialogue between Girls Inc. and the business community about skills and qualities that employers are seeking in today's workforce.

The $7,500 donation was presented to Girls Inc. at its annual business breakfast, honoring supporters and celebrating the year's accomplishments.

The ReVive store at Westfield Sarasota Square has partnered with All Faiths Food Bank and the Humane Society to collect food donations for hungry people and pets.

For each can or box of nonperishable, unexpired food you donate by Dec. 21, you will earn a ticket for a prize drawing. Prizes include a 40-inch flat-screen television, a wireless key finder and a Keurig coffeemaker.

ReVive, a health and wellness store, is located in the J.C. Penney wing of the mall.

The Best Friends Animal Hospital, at 5110 Clark Road in Sarasota, is collecting dog and cat food in its annual Thanksgiving Pet Food Drive. Donations of unopened bags and cans of food will be accepted through Nov. 27.

The food will be given to All Faiths Food Bank for distribution to people who can no longer afford to feed their pets.